Resnick, Joseph Y. (Joseph Yale), 1924-1969

Joseph Yale Resnick (July 13, 1924 – October 6, 1969) was an American inventor, businessman, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 28th congressional district from 1965 to 1969.

Born in Ellenville, New York, he was educated in electronics. During the Second World War, Resnick served as a radio officer in the United States Merchant Marines. Following the war, he was the founder and chairman of the board of Channel Master Corporation, which became a leading producer of television antennas after Resnick invented an antenna which was inexpensive, easy to assemble, and install, and did not require the expertise of a specially trained technician. He was also the inventor of the first TV antenna that improved reception by rotating towards the direction of the broadcast signal. Before winning election to Congress Resnick served on the Ellenville school board.

Resnick was elected to Congress in 1964 from New York's 28th congressional district, a heavily Republican district, defeating 14-year Republican incumbent J. Ernest Wharton. He served from January 3, 1965 until January 3, 1969. During his tenure in Congress, Resnick took on the American Farm Bureau Federation and subsequently wrote a book on the subject. He was a champion of civil rights and also supported the Vietnam War. He played a central role in passing the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, which empowered the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect and regulate the use of animals in research facilities. He gave up his House seat to unsuccessfully seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Jacob Javits for his seat in the U.S. Senate.

After leaving the House, Resnick returned to business interests. He died in Las Vegas, Nevada en route to California on a business trip. He was interred in the Hebrew Aid Society Cemetery in Wawarsing, New York.